The major movie company "Toho" has forecasted profits for the year to next month by about 1.5, as an animated movie based on the popular manga "Kimetsu no Yaiba" became an exceptional hit. Announced that it will be doubled.
The nine-month financial results announced by Toho on the 12th until November last year showed sales of 137.8 billion yen, 31.5% less than the same period of the previous year, and final profit of 11.2 billion yen, 61.9% less.
On the other hand, according to the one-year earnings forecast announced at the same time until next month, the final profit is expected to be 14 billion yen, which is about 1.5 times higher than the previous 9 billion yen.
This is because the box office revenue of the animated movie "Theatrical Version" Kimetsu no Yaiba "Infinite Train Edition" exceeded 33 billion yen by the end of last month and became an exceptional hit with the number one movie screened in Japan. This is the main factor.
However, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the release of foreign films has almost stopped, and the situation is still severe, at a level that is more than 60% below the final profit of the previous year.
At a press conference, Toho's vice president, Nobuyuki Taiko, said, "The blade of devil was" Kimetsu no Yaiba ", but without it, it would have been a difficult situation. I'm worried that the impact will continue. "
The "Kimetsu no Yaiba" effect is not limited to the movie industry
The popular manga "Kimetsu no Yaiba" has been tie-ups with various companies to develop product development and sales promotion campaigns, and its effects are expanding beyond the movie industry.
Of these, Kura Sushi, a major chain of rotating sushi, held a limited-time campaign in June last year to present a clear file with popular characters such as the main character, Tanjiro Kamado, on the first day of the campaign as a weekday. It means that it recorded the highest sales ever.
Lawson, a major convenience store, has also released more than 60 types of rice balls and fried chicken that are tied up with Kimetsu no Yaiba, and by January 5th, it had sold more than 8 billion yen.
In addition, beverage giant DyDo DRINCO launched a canned coffee with a popular character from October last year, and sold 50 million bottles within three weeks of its release, which is said to have been a factor boosting business performance.
Consumption has been hit by the spread of the new coronavirus, but the popular devilish blade, which can be said to be a social phenomenon, has contributed to digging up to a certain extent.